HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2255, 24 March 1921, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING

Although the rules of the above Society provide that the annual meeting be held in May, at the close of the financial year in April, this year, owing to the resignation of the secretary, Mr 11. H. Daniell, who is leaving the district, it was decided to meet this month, and the meeting was held in the Presbyterian school on Monday evening last.

A meeting of Committee was held prior to the annual meeting, presided over by the president, Mr Wm. Kenton. The annual report and balance-sheet was submitted and approved. On the motion of Mr" Christie it was recommended to the incoming committee that t'hey obtain advertisements for the catalogue. In reference to holding the annual meeting, the Rev. A. Harding mov-? ed, seconded by Mr Patterson, that the annual meeting be held as specified in the rules, the first week in May. The subject was discussed at some length, it being pointed out. that thei'e was some misunderstanding as to the notification. Miss Speirs moved an amendment to the effect that the annual meeting be proceeded with, which, on being put, was carried. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting was then proceeded with. There were fourteen present, and apologies for absence were received from several members. Votes of sympathy were passed to the relatives of the late Mrs Wm. Ross, to Mrs Jas. Robinson, and Mr Perreau, in their recent bereavement. A recommendation was passed on to the incoming committee that the question of badges for life members he finally settled.

The annual report" was read as follows: —

“In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet your Committee desires to congratulate you on the sound financial position, which discloses a credit balance of £l6 4s lid, and no outstanding liabilities. This is especially satisfactory, as owing to the bad season the entries for the Bull) Show were below average. The members’ subscriptions for the year show an increase of 10s, which is satisfactory, hut more must be done in this direction. The biggest increase is in donations, and while this is satisfactory as showing a belief in the good of the Society’s work, it points more to the enthusiasm of the few than the work of the many, and an equal increase in other directions would show a healthier sign. As a result of the increased donations several of the prizes were able to be augmented. Turning to the management, your Committee is of opinion that more satisfactory work could he obtained by reducing the size of the committee to twelve, provided that members gave their hearty cooperation at Show time. Your Committee is also of opinion that it would be advisable to make the Bulb Show a one-day show only. For the Bulb Show no arrangements could be made for tea rooms, and this was one of the reasons for the deficit. For the tearooms at the Summer Show the Society is once more indebted to Mrs Procter, and her willing helpers. As a direct result the Summer Show made up foi‘ the deficit on the Spring Show. Unfortunately (his year it was impossible for the Palmerston schools* to he represented at the Show, owing to our work being different from the Palmerston work. During the year the Borough Council was approached and asked to contribute towards improvements beneath the stage. So far no official reply has been received, hut. we understand the borough’s finances would not allow them to render any assistance.

During the past year Air AA’. Petrie donated a special prize for a cottage vegetable garden, in addition to Air Speirs’ annual prize. This, we think, is a step in the right direct ion, as it will he a great advantage to many to turn to their vegetable gardens in the time of stress through which this Dominion must certainly pass. The fact that Foxton is shortly to have a water and drainage service should enable better results to lie obtained whether the gardening be for pleasure or profit.” The balance-sheet showed receipts £llO Is Od (including £l6 6s 9d carried forward from last year), and expenditure £93 16s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £l6 4s lid. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The secretary was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his donation of £5, being proportion of his bonus. * It was resolved that the number of Committee remain as at present. After some discussion it was resolved to make the Bulb Show a one day exhibition, instead of two days.

Officers were elected as follows: —Patron, Mr A. S. Easton (re-el-ected) : President, Mr Wm. Kenton (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs Dr. Mandl, B. G. Gower, William Ross, Alex. Speirs, F. 0. and John Robinson, W. Bock, W. Signal, C. H. Symons, M. H. "Walker, J. Chrystall, H. Berry, L. J. Furrie, A. Hawke, W. E. Barber, and H. C. Patterson;, Committee, Messrs Walton, Holliday, Galland, Nye, Bullard, Jno. Ross, L. J. Furrie, Christie, Perreau, Seollay, Mesdames Galland, Renton, McMurray, Symons, Coley, Patterson, Procter, Misses Speirs, Signal and Woodroof e; secretary, held over for Committee to appoint; treasurer,ATr Thos. Henderson (re-elected); auditor, Mr F. D. Whibley (re-elect-ed), A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Rev. Mr Harding, who

resigned from the Committee, owing to leaving the district. Special mention was made of the services of the secretary, April. 11. Daniell, whose resignation was accepted with regret, and the best wishes of the Society were extended to him for the future. At the conclusion the ladies provided a tasty supper, which was much appreciated by all present.